GENERAL TIPS

This is a Hidden Object Adventure Game. The mini-games are a variety of puzzles. You will play as Valerie Porter, a reporter in the 1920s who is investigating a murder.

Whenever you return to the Main Menu, the options, including Play and Quit, are in the newspaper column on the left.

The game timer is a tracking timer. The faster you go, the more points you can earn, but there is no penalty for going slowly.

One of the mini-games, the Subway Car, is timed. It has its own countdown timer. All of the other activities are just part of the general game and just add to the tracking timer.

Even in the Subway Car, if you can’t complete the task in the allotted time you just continue on with fewer points.

You can skip any mini-game by clicking on the Skip button. Some points will be deducted from your total score, but there is no other penalty.

Most of the mini-games require you to remember parts of the dialogue and story from the chapter. So although you are allowed to skip any dialogue, if you do you will probably have to skip the mini-games also because you won’t have the information you need to solve them.

Most of the time when you see the subway map you will only be able to choose one location. A few times you will have a choice. It won’t matter what order you choose them in, but you should always visit the newsroom last so you can write up your story.

The games will autosave every time you exit, but mini-games will be reset so you have to start them over if you leave in the middle of one. .

Mini-games become progressively harder as the game goes on, but stay in the same general level of difficulty. So you might go from having to find 6 words in a word puzzle to having to find 10 or 12, but it’s not that much harder.

You can use the Options Menu to adjust the volume for the music and the special effects as you like. You can also separately adjust the voice acting.

General Tips for the In-Game Hint System and the Batteries

You get unlimited hints, but you have to wait for the hint meter in the lower left to recharge.

You can recharge the hint meter more quickly by using a Battery.

The number of Batteries you have available to use is shown right below the hint meter.

Remember that Batteries are not hints—these are ways of getting the next hint more quickly. The supply of hints is unlimited.

There are two Batteries hidden in each Hidden Object Scene. We have marked these in green in the Walkthrough section.

Collect the Batteries before the last item on the Find List, or the scene will change and you won’t be able to get them.

When you revisit a location, there will be two new Batteries there. They may be in the same place as last time or a different place.

You start over with 0 Batteries at the beginning of each new Chapter.

When the RECAP button is available, clicking on it will allow you to review the clues you’ve collected in previous chapters. This can help you solve the mini-games.

General Hints for 1920s Slang

“I have to see a man about a dog” means “I need to find a drink.”

“Bees Knees” means something really good.

“The Great War” was World War I.

General Hints for the Bells

In addition to the Batteries, each location has 5 optional Bells for you to find. There is a counter for the Bells in the upper right of the screen. Note that the Bells are by location, not scene. So once you have collected all 5 Bells at a location, there won’t be any more to find even if the story requires you to revisit that location 1 or 2 more times.

The Bells can be hand bells, desk bells (like on a hotel counter), round “jingle bells,” drawings of bells, etc.

We have marked the Bells in orange in the Walkthrough.

Remember to collect the Bells before you collect the last item on the Find List, or the scene will change before you get a chance to collect them.

General Tips for the Hidden Object Scenes

If you make too many incorrect clicks in a row, the scene will freeze for a few moments.

If an item appears in red on the Find List, you will need to do an Inventory Task to reveal it.

If an item appears in black on the Find List, you can collect it right away.

If an item appears with a count after its name, like Flower x 3, it means there are 3 different flowers in the scene and you will earn bonus points if you can chain them.

Chaining means clicking on any one of the objects to start the chain, then dragging the cursor to the next multiples object, and so on. You don’t need to click—just drag the mouse across the multiples and they’ll be counted. If you lift the mouse or take too long to get to the next multiple, the chain will end. So look ahead and notice where all the multiples are before you start chaining.

If there are a lot of multiples and the chain breaks, you can make a second chain with the remaining items. For example, if you need to collect 7 pieces of a torn up note and you collect the first 4 and then break the chain, you can make a chain of 3 with the remaining pieces. You’ll still get some bonus points, just not as many, because the longer the chain the more bonus points you get.

Most objects are appropriate to the scene and the right color, although the size varies. Some items, such as Styrofoam cups, are the wrong time period.

Some items are important pieces of evidence. When you click on them to collect them in the Hidden Objects scene, you’ll get a pop-up window so you can read more about the item. This is information for you that will help you solve the mini-games later. These items do not necessarily go into your inventory, so read them while they’re available in the pop-up.

Some items, but not all, have descriptions rather than names. For example “a foot warmer” might be a sock, a slipper, or a hot water bottle. If you’re having trouble finding one of these objects, check its silhouette.

Inventory Items will be removed from the Find List and will appear in picture form on the Inventory List. To get to the inventory list, just click on the Inventory Tab next to the Find List.

As you move your cursor across the scene, you may find some places that are marked by a blue question mark. These are places where you will have to use an Inventory Object.

To use an Inventory Object, click on its picture in the Inventory Screen. It will attach to your cursor. Now move your cursor to where you think you should use it. When you are in the exact right place, a yellow exclamation point will appear. Left-click to use the object there.

Sometimes using an Inventory Object is enough to clear a red item from the Find List. Sometimes you have to use the Inventory Object and then pick up another object that has been revealed by your action.

If you click on the name of most objects on the Find List, the silhouette will appear in the far left. This does not use up a hint.

The silhouette will be oriented the same way that the object is in the scene.

If the silhouette for an object is unavailable, that means there is an inventory task that must be completed before it can be revealed.

If the Find List entry is for multiple items, like “Flowers x 3,” then the silhouette will show one item until you find that one. Click on the entry again, and it will show you the silhouette of another of the multiples. This can be very helpful.

The lightbulb on the lower left will give you unlimited hints, but you have to wait for it to recharge each time.

.In some scenes, Valerie will mention that she will have to turn the lights off if someone is coming. You will hear footsteps and see a small yellow footstep icon by the door when this occurs. You must then quickly click on the light switch in the scene to turn off the lights. From then on you will be working in the dark, but a small area around your cursor will automatically light up as you scan across the scene.

If you wait too long to turn off the light, you will be caught by a bad guy. You will have to restart with a new Find List.

If Valerie says it’s OK to turn the lights back on, do so.

General Tips for the Headline Puzzles

When you place a letter in the correct place, it will turn dark and lock in place.

If the puzzle contains duplicate letters, you may use the duplicate letters interchangeably. So if the first word of the headline is “The” and you have three e’s, you may use any e in that spot.

You can place the letters in any order, so use letters you’re sure of first.

General Tips for the Subway Puzzles

Some parts of the story require you to select a location from the Subway Map and some will automatically transfer you to another location.

If more than one location is clickable on the Subway Map, you can do them in any order.

Valerie will usually have a dialogue bubble that gives you a hint about where you should go next.

Once each chapter a Subway Car Hidden Object scene will pop up. The scene is always the same, you are just searching for different objects.

The Subway Puzzle is the only timed part of the game. You will have one minute to find the multiples on the Find List, like 7 watches.

You will get bonus points for chaining the items, but it’s not required.

If you run out of time during a Subway Car Hidden Object scene, the scene just ends and you continue on with the game, you don’t have to do it over.

General Tips for the Darkroom Puzzles

For this puzzle you must figure out which bottles to add from the right in order to change the current Ph to the Target Ph.

The problem is that the labels have fallen off the bottles.

The easiest way is to add the bottles one at a time, going from left to right.

Each time you add a bottle, notice how the Ph number has changed, then put the correct label on that bottle.

So if the solution changes from +7 to +9, you know the bottle you just used was +2.

If the solution changes from +7 to +4, you know the bottle you just used was -3.

If the solution number does NOT change, then the bottle you used would either make the number go below 0 or above 14. Rather than using part of the bottle, it just won’t use it at all. So if you are already at 12 and you try to add a bottle that is at +3, the solution will remain at 12. Just go on to the next bottle.

If you happen to notice how to get to the target from the bottles you have already labeled, you can stop testing bottles and just get to the target number.

Otherwise go ahead and label all the bottles, then use them to get to the target number.

To attach a label to a bottle, click on the label, then click on the bottle.

To pick up a bottle that has a label, click on the brown glass part, not on the label.

You can use a bottle as many times as you like.

The position of the bottles is random, but you can use the same method every time.

General Tips for the Focus the Picture Puzzles

Your goal is to create a focused, center picture so you can print it.

When you have the picture set up perfectly, an arrow will appear on the left point to the
Exposure button. Until that arrow appears, you can’t press the button.

The controls on the top right zoom in the picture in and out. You want it to fit perfectly inside the frame.

The controls on the lower right shift the picture up, down, sideways, and diagonally. You want the two images to overlay each other perfectly.

The controls are not precise—sometimes a click will move a little more in one direction than at other times. Just keep trying until you close in on it.

Prologue

The Prologue counts as a Chapter in the game statistics even though it doesn’t have a name or number. So at the end of Chapter 1 you will have finished “2 of 12 Chapters”—the Prologue plus Chapter 1.

The Gin Joint Alley

Collect the items on the Find List.

The Sour Fruit is a lemon.

The Foot Warmer is a gray sock on the ground.

Something to Scrub the Sign is the scrub brush on the ground to the right of the dog.

You may chain the torn up Evidence in any way you want. Here is one example:

Once you have collected all of the black items on the Find List, switch to the Inventory tab.

Click on the Scrub Brush, then use it to clean the metal sign on the side of the building .

The sign is to the left of the door in the shadows.

Jigsaw Puzzle

This puzzle will automatically begin once you have completed the Hidden Object scene, including the Inventory Task.

This is a jigsaw puzzle.

Pieces will automatically rotate themselves when you attach them to your cursor.

Pieces will lock in place when set correctly.

Chapter 1: 5 Weeks Earlier…

Begin by collecting the 2 Batteries, the 5 Bells, and answering the phone on the desk.

A new job! Better get dressed in a hurry. Now you’ll get a new Find List.

Something to Keep my Neck Warm is a scarf, under the coffee table.

The Hat is on the coat rack with the jacket.

Adds An Inch To My Height are black high heels by the closet.

Hand Warmers are gloves.

A Woman’s Money Bag is a purse.

An Ornament For My Neck is a necklace.

Ornaments for Piercings are pierced earrings on the arm of the chair.

The Bathroom

Time for make-up. First collect the items on the Find List, plus 2 Batteries and 5 Bells.

Teeth Cleaner is a toothbrush.

Switch to the Inventory Tab.

Click on the items from your inventory and then click on the right place in the scene. You will see a yellow exclamation point when you are in the correct place for that item. Then left-click.

In any order: Hat on head, Eyeliner on eyes, Blush on cheeks, Lipstick on mouth, Scarf around neck.

The Subway Map

Click on the Newsroom to travel there.

The Subway

Chain the items on the Find List.

A “bag” can be a purse, a briefcase, or a paper bag.

The Editor’s Office

Begin by collecting the Bells, Batteries, and the items on the Find List.

You can make one chain for the Crumpled Paper and one chain for the Bottles.

Word Find Puzzle

Kauffman’s Penthouse

Begin by collecting the individual items except the Newspaper, the Batteries, the Bells, and the 3 chained photos.

Once those are out of the way, you can collect the Newspaper on the floor to the right of the desk, the chained torn paper pieces, and the chained Awards.

Note that for one of the Awards, all you can see is the tip of the star on the left side of the scene.

Jigsaw Puzzle

This puzzle will automatically begin once you have completed the Hidden Object scene.

This is a jigsaw puzzle.

Pieces will automatically rotate themselves when you attach them to your cursor.

Pieces will lock in place when set correctly.

The Subway Map

Click on The Gym to travel there.

The Gym

You should have already picked up all the Bells in this room.

Collect the Batteries and the items on the Find List.

You can chain the Gloves, the Boots, the Photos, and the Dirty Shoes.

The Gloves can be either boxing gloves or regular gloves.

The Soap is a white bar on the floor next to the weights on the left side.

The Newspaper is very hard to see. It’s in the cubby behind the silver trophy.

The Subway Map

Click on The Newsroom to travel there.

Terry’s Office

You should have already picked up all the Bells in this room.

Collect the Batteries and the items on the Find List.

You can chain the time tellers. They are the wall clock, the hourglass, and the sun dial

Chapter 6: Today

The Subway Map

Click on The Gin Joint to travel there.

The Subway

Chain the items on the Find List.

One of the newspapers is in a case on the left wall.

The Gin Joint Alley

At this point the story has caught up with the Prologue and you are back in the present.

If you did not collect the Bells during the Prologue, you can collect them now. We have marked them on the screenshot for convenience. If you already collected them before, they will not be on your screen now.

Collect the Batteries and the items on the Find List.

A Rusty Engine is a toy train.

A Common Pet is the dog.

A Clothing Cleaner is a washboard leaning against the back wall.

Air Courier is a pigeon.

A Light Provider is a Lantern.

It Gets Bowled Over is a bowling pin.

From a Black Bird is a large black feather.

One of Four from a Car is a tire.

Something for Luck is a horseshoe.

Something With Initials is a handkerchief.

Persuasion Tactic Puzzle

“Doris Dandy.”

The Gin Joint Main Room

Collect the Batteries, Bells, and the objects on the Find List.

One of the Bells is hanging at the very back of the stage and can be hard to see.

The Pumpkin is on the stage behind the horse, and it’s gigantic.

The Shaker is a silver cocktail shaker on the front counter.

You can chain the Horns. One of them is a bicycle horn on the front counter.

Persuasion Tactic Puzzle

“I found this feather in the alley.”

The Gin Joint Store Room

Collect the Batteries, Bells, and the objects on the Find List.

One of the Bells is the Liberty Bell on the left side of the scene and is very large.

The Nail is stuck in the wall at the top left.

When you hear someone coming, or see the yellow footstep icons, click on the light switch to turn off the light.

From then on, your cursor will act like a flashlight, and illuminate a small area as you move it around.

In terms of the story, remember that at this time in the United States it was illegal to make or sell liquor. So different criminal gangs would create their own labels. That’s why finding the John Daddy’s liquor at this gin joint is so important—it ties the Mayor to it specifically.

Also in terms of the story it is interesting to find all the ship references here at the gin joint.

The Subway Map

Click on The Police Station to travel there.

The Police Station

Collect the Batteries, Bells, and the objects on the Find List.

You can chain the Medals, the Blue Reference Books, the Torn Pieces of Paper, the Pigeons and the File Folders.

Note that some items are outside.

There is one piece of torn paper stuck to the window below where you can see two pigeons, and another stuck to the window on the other side. These can be hard to see.

Click on the inventory tab.

Place the Medals, File Folders, and Reference books in the matching brown box.

After you have completed all these tasks you can collect the Crime Report and the Photo from the Crime Scene.

Jigsaw Puzzle

This puzzle will automatically begin once you have completed the Hidden Object scene.

This is a jigsaw puzzle.

Pieces will automatically rotate themselves when you attach them to your cursor.